Lodi Mixed Media Group

Our group of mixed media artists had a tailgate party yesterday. It's our own version of a tail gate party. We all load up our cars with art materials, books, etc that we no longer have use for, and then we just open them up and let others in the group take whatever they can use. I got rid of LOTS of stuff. I always hope EVERYTHING will be gone, but I always have some leftovers. I was so good I did NOT bring home other stuff (except for some lace brought by Vivian, and ruffled lace brought by Marilyn. We'll do this again in a couple months so I have a box started already with more things that can go away.

Mondavi Woodbrige Winery Art Show

It's time for the Spring art show at the Woodbrige Mondavi Winery. This is a fun show. Opening night will be a Renaissance theme costume party, with entertainment, food and wine and good company. Bobbi and I volunteered to work on the first day for taking in entries for the show. That was an awesome day. I love to see the artwork arriving and meeting more of the artists. Then on judging day, my grandsons and neighbor went with me to carry the pieces into the judging room, one by one. Bobbi worked that day recording the pieces that recieved 3 and 4 points by judges. I had a stomach ache and came home. I missed the fun. Damn.

I was notified that the 5 pieces I entered were all accepted into the show. None of them received an award. They will be seen by 1200 people who have not seen them before. And that's the real fun in showing art.

post cards going out

Ready to send this new batch. The one with chickens is for my WACKO friends who have an ongoing joke about a chicken. The other one uses a gift wrap bit from a friend. I used freshly carved rubber stamps on both of these.

Mail call, all's well

Today's mail brought a handful of catalogs. Hiding underneath in the mail box, there was a group of mail art pieces. Whooppeee. Throw the catalogs away and dash upstairs to the sunny deck to read the backs of the cards and admire the artwork on the front. Wonderful pieces. Here are two pieces from Jackie and one from Barbara. Another piece would not scan well from Pam C. in Maine who has been swapping fabric post cards internationally. I'll have to take a photo and post it later. It has dimensional embellishments that screw with my scanner. I"ll post it soon because it is such a nice piece.

I hope you enjoy seeing the works of other artists who are working with mail art, as it shows the range and possibilities for artistic expression.

Pamela goes postal

I have not shown the cards that my friend Pamela made from photos she took at one of my spring garden parties. I'm always touched by them and it brings back good memories of sunshine, flowers and good friends. Here are three of the ones with photos. One arrived today. I'm also showing the first fabric card she made for me. Cool, huh?

carved rubber erasers

I've been wanting to make facial components out of rubber erasers carved into stamps. I finally got around to making enough eyes, noses and mouths to get some expressive faces. One problem I have with carving the stamps is - I never know what they will turn out like until I ink and print them. I just can't visualize them. and I almost always carve them backwards. the hooked nose on the left was supposed to turn to the left. Ooops. This mouth can go either upturned or downturned. I'm sure these will be used in altered books and post cards. I'll be carving more soon.

Mail Call - incoming

Yesterday was a Monday. Mondays usually bring good mail art. I don't know why, it just happens here. The travel post cards are from friends who are or have just been on great trips. One was on a 40+ day cruise around South America and the Antartic. That's her ship. She had glued on something to alter the card but it fell off along the way. The little card from Ireland is from Roberta, where she and her hubby are celebrating their 25th anniversary. She looks like she's 26. Hmmmm.... Should we call CPS?

The return card from Punwit in New Hampshire came in yesterday. I've been looking forward to seeing what he would do next on the collaboration. A bird/Spring card came from Teri in Oregon. They get all the winter storms before we do. I can tell she's as eager for Spring as I am. Then a big official envelope arrived, carrying a delightful post card from Joanna in Southern California. I'm posting pics of the back and the front of it. And the card too. LOL